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| United States Patent |
5,331,349
|
|
Kim
|
July 19, 1994
|
Picture-out-picture control apparatus and method thereof
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for converting a video signal having a
predetermined aspect ratio into a signal adapted for a television receiver
having a wider aspect ratio. An analog to digital converter converts the
received video signal into a digital signal. A main picture processor
converts the video signal of the first aspect ratio into a main screen of
the television receiver. A picture-out-picture processor converts the
video signal having the first aspect ratio into at least one
picture-out-picture screen of the television receiver. A multiplexed
picture formation portion multiplexes the video signals for the main and
picture-out-picture screens into a video signal having the second aspect
ratio appropriate for the television receiver. A control signal generator
controls the picture-out-picture processor and the multiplexed picture
formation portion. When an NTSC broadcast is displayed on the television
receiver having a 16-to-9 aspect ratio, the pictures are prevented from
being spread to the left and right sides of the screen. Utilization of the
POP screens facilitates search or comparison of the important pictures
when watching the TV.
| Inventors:
|
Kim; Jeong H. (Seoul, KR)
|
| Assignee:
|
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Kyungki, KR)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
022624 |
| Filed:
|
February 25, 1993 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
348/567; 348/568 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04N 005/45 |
| Field of Search: |
358/22 PIP,140,183,230,181
348/567,568
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4991012 | Feb., 1991 | Yoshino | 358/22.
|
| 5040067 | Aug., 1991 | Yamakazi | 358/22.
|
| 5146335 | Sep., 1992 | Kim et al. | 358/140.
|
Primary Examiner: Kostak; Victor R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak & Seas
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A picture-out-picture control apparatus for converting a first video
signal, having a first aspect ratio, into a second video signal adapted
for a television receiver having a second aspect ratio which is wider than
the first aspect ratio, said picture-out-picture control apparatus
comprising:
a main picture processor for converting the first video signal, having the
first aspect ratio, into a video signal for a main screen of said
television receiver;
a picture-out-picture processor for converting the first video signal,
having the first aspect ratio, into a video signal for at least one
picture-out-picture screen of said television receiver;
a multiplexed picture formation portion for multiplexing the video signals
for said main and picture-out-picture screens and forming said second
video signal having the second aspect ratio; and
a control signal generator for controlling said picture-out-picture
processor and said multiplexed picture formation portion.
2. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said main picture processor temporally compresses the video signal, having
the first aspect ratio, in order to display a compressed video signal on
the main picture screen of said television receiver.
3. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the first video signal, having the first aspect ratio, is a digital video
signal.
4. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the first video signal, having the first aspect ratio, is a digital video
signal.
5. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising an analog to digital converter for converting the first video
signal having the first aspect ratio into a digital video signal.
6. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising an analog to digital converter for converting the first video
signal having the first aspect ratio into a digital video signal.
7. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
said picture-out-picture processor comprises:
a still picture storage portion for storing a still picture of the digital
video signal, having the first aspect ratio, according to a first signal
from said control signal generator;
a picture-out-picture reduction processor for reducing an output signal of
said still picture storage portion into said second video signal having
the second aspect ratio;
a switching device for selectively supplying video signals from said still
picture storage portion to said multiplexed picture formation portion
according to a second signal of said control signal generator in order to
be displayed on the main picture screen of said television receiver; and
an address generator for receiving said first and second signals of said
control signal generator, supplying an address signal for assigning a
region of the picture-out-picture screen of said television receiver to
said picture-out-picture reduction processor and supplying a control
signal to said multiplexed picture formation portion in order to multiplex
the main picture screen and the picture-out-picture screens.
8. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
said picture-out-picture processor comprises:
a still picture storage portion for storing a still picture of the digital
video signal, having the first aspect ratio, according to a first signal
from said control signal generator;
a picture-out-picture reduction processor for reducing an output signal of
said still picture storage portion into said second video signal having
the second aspect ratio;
a switching device for selectively supplying video signals from said still
picture storage portion to said multiplexed picture formation portion
according to a second signal of said control signal generator in order to
be displayed on the main picture screen of said television receiver; and
an address generator for receiving said first and second signals of said
control signal generator, supplying an address signal for assigning a
region of the picture-out-picture screen of said television receiver to
said picture-out-picture reduction processor and supplying a control
signal to said multiplexed picture formation portion in order to multiplex
the main picture screen and the picture-out-picture screens.
9. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said picture-out-picture processor comprises:
a still picture storage portion for storing a still picture of the
digitized video signal supplied from said analog to digital converter
according to a first signal of said control signal generator;
a picture-out-picture reduction processor for reducing an output signal of
said still picture storage portion into said second video signal having
the second aspect ratio;
a switching device for selectively supplying video signals from said still
picture storage portion to said multiplexed picture formation portion
according to a second signal of said control signal generator in order to
be displayed on the main picture screen of said television receiver; and
an address generator for receiving said first and second signals of said
control signal generator, supplying an address signal for assigning a
region of the picture-out-picture screen of said television receiver to
said picture-out-picture reduction processor and supplying a control
signal to said multiplexed picture formation portion in order to multiplex
the main picture screen and the picture-out-picture screens.
10. The picture-out-picture control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
said picture-out-picture processor comprises:
a still picture storage portion for storing a still picture of the
digitized video signal supplied from said analog to digital converter
according to a first signal of said control signal generator;
a picture-out-picture reduction processor for reducing an output signal of
said still picture storage portion into said second video signal having
the second aspect ratio;
a switching device for selectively supplying video signals from said still
picture storage portion to said multiplexed picture formation portion
according to a second signal of said control signal generator in order to
be displayed on the main picture screen of said television receiver; and
an address generator for receiving said first and second signals of said
control signal generator, supplying an address signal for assigning a
region of the picture-out-picture screen of said television receiver to
said picture-out-picture reduction processor and supplying a control
signal to said multiplexed picture formation portion in order to multiplex
the main picture screen and the picture-out-picture screens.
11. A picture-out-picture control method for converting a first video
signal, having a first aspect ratio, into a second video signal adapted
for a television receiver having a second aspect ratio that is wider than
the first aspect ratio, the picture-out-picture control method comprising
the steps of:
dividing an original screen of said television receiver into a main picture
region and a plurality of picture-out-picture regions;
receiving the first video signal, having the first aspect ratio, and
converting a received video signal into a main video signal to be
displayed on said main picture region of said original screen;
receiving the video signal having the first aspect ratio and converting the
received video signal into a plurality of picture-out-picture video
signals to be displayed on said plurality of the picture-out-picture
regions of said original; and
controlling the main video signal and the plurality of the
picture-out-picture video signals to be respectively displayed on said
main picture region and said plurality of the picture-out-picture regions
of said original screen.
12. The picture-out-picture control method according to claim 11, further
comprising the step of converting the first video signal having the first
aspect ratio into a digital video signal.
13. The picture-out-picture control method according to claim 11, wherein
one still picture of said plurality of picture-out-picture video signals
is displayed on said main picture screen.
14. The picture-out-picture control method according to claim 11, wherein,
when control signals for said plurality of picture-out-picture video
signals does not exist in said controlling step, pictures are displayed
with an extension in only a horizontal direction without temporal
compression of the video signal on said main picture screen.
15. The picture-out-picture control method according to claim 11, wherein
the first video signal having the first aspect ratio is temporally
compressed to be displayed on said main picture screen.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method and apparatus capable of
displaying a video signal having a narrow aspect ratio on a television
receiver having a wide aspect ratio. More particularly, it relates to a
picture-out-picture control apparatus and method capable of displaying a
plurality of picture-out-pictures (hereinafter referred to as POP) on a
blank screen which is produced when an NTSC (National Television System
Committee) broadcast is displayed on a television receiver having a wide
aspect ratio such as a high definition television (HDTV).
The present NTSC television has a 4-to-3 aspect ratio. However, a 16-to-9
aspect ratio, such as in the high definition television, provides a user
with a much more vivid image or stereo-like-vision. Even though high
definition television broadcasts are not yet widely practiced, apparatus
and methods for displaying the NTSC broadcast have been developed.
Further, a video signal of the video cassette recorder, having a size of a
visual system transmission algorithm (VISTA) on a television receiver with
a 16-to-9 aspect ratio, have also been developed. If temporal compression
of the video signal is not performed when displaying the NTSC broadcast on
the 16-to-9 television receiver, the displayed pictures become spread out
in the left and right directions on the screen. Accordingly, to display
the NTSC broadcast with a 4-to-3 aspect ratio on the television receiver
with a 16-to-9 aspect ratio, the NTSC broadcast signal should be
temporally compressed, so that a user can watch the normal video pictures.
However, since the temporally compressed video signal is short along the
horizontal direction, the left or right side of the screen remains blank.
Also, in existing television receivers capable of displaying still
pictures, when a still picture function is performed, an entire moving
picture stops being displayed on the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a POP control method and apparatus in which a
plurality of still pictures are displayed on the left or the right blank
portion of a display screen when an NTSC broadcast is displayed on a
16-to-9 screen after temporally compressing the NTSC broadcast. One of the
plurality of the still pictures is selected and displayed on a main
picture screen.
To accomplish the above objectives, a picture-out-picture control apparatus
is provided for converting a video signal, having a first aspect ratio,
into a signal adapted for a television receiver, having a second aspect
ratio that is wider than the first aspect ratio. The picture-out-picture
control apparatus comprises a main picture processor for forming the video
signal of the first aspect ratio into a main screen of the television
receiver. A picture-out-picture processor forms the video signal of the
first aspect ratio into at least one picture-out-picture screen of the
television receiver. A multiplexed picture formation portion multiplexes
the video signals for the main and picture-out-picture screens into a
signal appropriate for the television receiver having the second aspect
ratio. A control signal generator controls the picture-out-picture
processor and the multiplexed picture formation portion.
Also, a picture-out-picture control method is provided for converting a
video signal, having a first aspect ratio, into a signal adapted for a
television receiver, having a second aspect ratio that is wider than the
first aspect ratio. The picture-out-picture control method comprises the
steps of, dividing a screen of the television receiver into a main picture
region and a plurality of picture-out-picture regions, and receiving the
video signal of the first aspect ratio and forming a main picture to be
displayed on the main picture region of the screen. The control method
receives the video signal of the first aspect ratio and forms a plurality
of picture-out-pictures to be displayed on the plurality of the
picture-out-picture regions of the screen; and finally controls the main
picture and plurality of the picture-out-pictures to be respectively
displayed on the main picture region and the plurality of the
picture-out-picture regions of the screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a picture-out-picture control apparatus
according to the present invention.
FIGS. 2A through 2D are front views of wide screen formats when the
picture-out-picture control apparatus according to the present invention
is adapted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in
more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a
block diagram of a POP control apparatus of one embodiment of the present
invention. The present invention comprises an analog to digital converter
(A/D converter) 1, a main picture processor 2, a POP processor 3, a
multiplexed picture formation portion 4, a digital to analog converter
(D/A converter) 5, a 16-to-9 display and a control signal generator 7. The
A/D converter 1 receives an NTSC broadcast video signal and converts the
received signal into a digital signal. The main picture processor 2
receives the digitized video signal supplied from the A/D converter 1 and
temporally compresses the received signal, thereby converting the signal
into a main picture signal for a main picture region on the screen.
The POP processor 3 comprises a still picture storage portion 10, an
address generator 20, a POP reduction processor 30 and a switching device
40. The POP processor 3 receives the video signal from the A/D converter 1
and produces video signals for POP regions on the screen. In more detail,
the still picture storage portion 10 of the POP processor 3 comprises
three memory units 11, 12 and 13 which receive the A/D converted video
signals, respectively. The still picture storage portion 10 receives a
first selection signal S.sub.PS from the control signal generator 7 to
select three still pictures from a plurality of main pictures which can be
displayed on the main picture region of the screen. Accordingly, the still
picture storage portion 10 outputs three selected still pictures S.sub.S1,
S.sub.S2 and S.sub.S3 stored in the three memory units 11, 12 and 13,
respectively, based on the selection signal S.sub.PS.
The address generator 20 receives the first selection signal S.sub.PS from
the control signal generator 7 and generates a first address signal
S.sub.a1 for reducing the three still pictures S.sub.S1, S.sub.S2 and
S.sub.S3 to form the POP regions on the screen. The address generator 20
also receives a second selection signal S.sub.MS from the control signal
generator 7 for selecting one still picture to be displayed on the main
picture region of the screen. This selected still picture is one of the
three still pictures selected according to the first selection signal
S.sub.PS. The address generator 20 generates a second address signal
S.sub.a2 to multiplex the output video signal of the main picture
processor 2 with the output video signals S.sub.P1, S.sub.P2 and S.sub.P3
of the POP processor 3 in the multiplexed picture formation portion 4.
The POP reduction processor 30 comprises three reduction portions 31, 32
and 33 connected to the three memory units 11, 12 and 13 of the still
picture processor 10, respectively. The three reduction portions 31, 32
and 33 receive the first address signal S.sub.a1 generated in the address
generator 20 and reduce the still pictures supplied from the memory units,
in order to supply reduced still pictures to the multiplexed picture
formation portion 4. The switching device 40 selects one still picture
among the three still pictures S.sub.S1, S.sub.S2 and S.sub.S3 received
from the three memory units 11, 12 and 13 according to the second
selection signal S.sub.MS of the control signal generator 7 and supplies
the selected still picture signal to the multiplexed picture formation
portion 4.
The multiplexed picture formation portion 4 is connected to the main
picture processor 2, switching device 40 and POP reduction processor 30.
The multiplexed picture formation portion 4 receives the second address
signal S.sub.a2 from the address generator 20 and the third selection
signal S.sub.MSR from the control signal generator 7. Thus, the
multiplexed picture formation portion 4 is able to display the still
pictures on the screen in the previously blank portions of the screen at
the periphery of the temporally-compressed NTSC video signal that is
supplied from the main picture processor 2. Alternatively, the multiplexed
picture formation portion displays one still picture selected among the POP
still pictures on the main picture region of the screen.
FIGS. 2A to 2D are front views of the wide screen formats according to the
present invention. FIG. 2A is a front view showing one way to compress
temporally the NTSC picture and display the temporally-compressed signal
on a wide screen having a 16-to-9 aspect ratio. FIG. 2B is a front view
showing one way to use the peripheral portions of the NTSC main picture
region having a 4-to-3 aspect ratio in the POP still picture regions. FIG.
2C is a front view of the three POP still picture regions located on the
periphery of the NTSC main picture region having the 4-to-3 aspect ratio.
FIG. 2D is a front view showing one way of selecting, enlarging and
displaying one of the POP still pictures on the main picture region of the
screen. The still picture display apparatus uses a POP processor 3 as shown
in FIG. 1 and achieves the displays shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D by applying
the POP screen arrangement shown in FIG. 2B along the left and right blank
portions of a screen having the wider aspect ratio. This arrangement is
achieved when the NTSC video pictures are displayed on the screen as shown
in FIG. 2A.
Table 1 presents possible operations of the POP control apparatus of the
preferred embodiment according to the present invention. The Table
illustrates operations wherein the first selection signal S.sub.PS is a
still picture selection control signal for the POP screen and a second
selection signal S.sub.MS is a still picture selection control signal for
the main picture screen of the control signal generation portion 7.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
Cases Operations
______________________________________
A Main pictures are temporally
compressed and displayed.
B Display Main picture (moving picture) &
POP picture (1st still picture)
C Display Main picture (moving picture) &
POP picture (1st & 2nd still pictures)
D Display Main picture (moving picture) &
POP picture (1st, 2nd & 3rd still pictures)
E Display Main picture (1st still picture)
& POP picture (1st, 2nd & 3rd still pictures)
F Display Main picture (2nd still picture)
& POP picture (1st, 2nd & 3rd still pictures)
G Display Main picture (3rd still picture)
& POP picture (1st, 2nd & 3rd still pictures)
______________________________________
Next, the operations for the present embodiment are represented in Table 2
for the four possible binary states of the first selection signal S.sub.PS
from the control signal generator 7.
TABLE 2
______________________________________
S.sub.ps Operations Cases
______________________________________
00 Option OFF A
01 1st Still picture
B
10 2nd Still picture
C
11 3rd Still picture
D
______________________________________
The operations for the present embodiment are represented in Table 3 for
the various binary states of the second selection signal Sms from the
control signal generator 7.
TABLE 3
______________________________________
S.sub.ms Operations Cases
______________________________________
000 Options OFF A
100 Option address designation
B, C, D
by signal S.sub.ps
101 Change first still picture
E
into a main picture
110 Change second still picture
F
into a main picture
111 Change third still picture
G
into a main picture
______________________________________
Referring to Tables 1, 2 and 3, operation of the present POP control
apparatus will be described hereafter in connection with the states of the
first selection signal S.sub.PS and the second selection signal S.sub.MS
from the control signal generation portion 7.
When the POP control apparatus operates as in case "A" of Tables 1, 2 and
3, the A/D converter 1, which receives a NTSC input video signal S1,
converts an analog video signal into a digital signal. The digital signal
is supplied to the main picture processor 2 and the still picture storage
portion 10 in the POP processor 3. At this time, the first selection
signal S.sub.PS from the control signal generator 7 is in a simple mode
state which does not use the POP screen.
That is, since the selection mode is in an "OFF" state, the selection
signal S.sub.PS is in a binary logic state of "00". Therefore, the memory
devices 11, 12 and 13 in the still picture storage portion 10 do not store
the supplied video signal. Also, the second selection signal S.sub.MS from
the control signal generator 7 is in a binary logic state of "000," and
thus the POP processor 3 also does not operate. Thus, the main picture
processor 2 which receives the NTSC video signal from the A/D converter 1
temporally compresses the video signal to transmit the temporally
compressed video signal to the multiplexed picture formation portion 4.
Here, since the multiplexed picture formation portion 4 does not receive
any signal from the POP processor 3, it generates picture data for a
screen as shown in FIG. 2A. Accordingly, the picture is prevented from
being displayed in a spread out manner along left and right directions
across the screen.
When the POP control apparatus operates as in case "B" of the Tables 1, 2
and 3, the binary logic H state of the first selection signal S.sub.PS
from the control signal generator 7 is "01". Thus, the digitized video
signal supplied to the still picture storage portion 10 is stored in the
first memory unit 11. Then, an output signal S.sub.S1 of the first memory
unit 11 is supplied to a first reduction portion 31 in the POP reduction
processor 30, thereby reducing a ratio of the picture to an area one-ninth
of the original screen size. Also, the output signal S.sub.S1 of the first
memory unit 11 is supplied to a contact N1 of the switching device 40. In
case "B", the second selection signal S.sub.MS is in a binary logic state
of "100"and thus the switching blade of the switching device 40 is moved
to contact the ground N. Address generator 20, which receives the first
selection signal S.sub.PS and the second selection signal S.sub.MS,
outputs an address signal S.sub.a1 which designates an address of the
still picture region in the POP screen. Also, the address signal S.sub.a1
activates the first reduction portion 30.
The address generator 20 also supplies an address signal S.sub.a2 to the
multiplexed picture formation portion 4 to receive the main picture. The
still picture, which is stored in the first memory unit 11 within the
still picture storage portion 10, is multiplexed and displayed with the
received main picture. Here, memory units 11, 12 and 13 in the still
picture storage portion 10 operate only when particular and respective
signals are applied thereto. If a particular drive signal is applied, the
data stored in corresponding memory device is deleted and new data is
stored therein. Therefore, the first memory unit 11 stores new data only
when the state of signal S.sub.PS is a binary logic value of "01".
When the POP control apparatus operates as in case "C" of the Tables 1, 2
and 3, the binary logic state of the first selection signal S.sub.PS of
the control signal generator 7 is "10". Thus, the second memory unit 12
stores the digitized video signal supplied thereto. Then, an output signal
S.sub.S2 of the second memory unit 12 is supplied to a second reduction
portion 32 in the POP reduction processor 30, thereby reducing a ratio of
the picture to one-ninth of the original screen. Also, the, output signal
S.sub.S2 of the second memory unit 12 is supplied to a contact N2 of the
switching device 40. The second selection signal S.sub.MS is in a binary
logic state of "100", and thus the switching blade of the switching device
40 contacts the ground N. The address generator 20 which receives the first
selection signal S.sub.PS and the second selection signal S.sub.MS outputs
an address signal S.sub.a1 for designating an address of the still picture
region in the POP screen and for designating an address of the second
reduction portion 32 in the POP processor 30.
The address generator 20 also supplies a signal S.sub.a2 to the multiplexed
picture formation portion 4, in order to receive the main picture. Thus,
the still pictures stored in the first memory unit 11 and the second
memory unit 12 within the still picture storage portion 10 are multiplexed
and displayed with the received main picture. Here, once the picture
reduction portions 31, 32 and 33 in the POP processor 30 are assigned with
the address regions, they maintain the same addresses as long as the same
data inputs are maintained. Accordingly, the multiplexed picture formation
portion 4 multiplexed the input data supplied from the first and second
reduction portions 31 and 32 and are displayed together with the main
picture.
When the POP control apparatus operates as in case "D" of the Tables 1, 2
and 3, the binary logic state of the first selection signal S.sub.PS is
"11" and that of second selection signal S.sub.MS is "100". Thus, the
third memory unit 13 and the third reduction portion 33 are additionally
driven and the above operations are repeated. According to the above
operations, the still pictures are selected from the main picture and
displayed on the POP screen. Then, among the still pictures, a desired
still picture can be displayed on the main picture screen.
Cases E, F and G have no relation to the first selection signal S.sub.PS,
but relate only to the second selection signal S.sub.MS. In other words,
when the POP control apparatus operates as in case 37 D", the binary logic
state of second selection signal S.sub.MS is "101". Therefore, the
switching blade in the switching device 40 is connected to the contact N1
where the output signal S.sub.S1 of the first memory unit 11 is applied.
In this case, the multiplexed picture formation portion 4 multiplexes the
pictures, so that the data signal S.sub.S1, for which the picture ratio is
not reduced, can be displayed on the main picture screen with priority over
the data supplied from the main picture processor 2. Simultaneously, the
reduced picture signals S.sub.P1, S.sub.P2 and S.sub.P3 output from the
first, second, and third reduction portions 31, 32 and 33, respectively,
are displayed on the POP screens.
In cases "F" and "G", control of the switching device 40 is varied
according to the state of the second selection signal S.sub.MS. THUS, the
signal displayed on the main picture screen is varied and the operation is
the same as described above. To change the main picture screen from a still
picture to a moving picture, the third selection signal S.sub.MSR of the
control signal generator 7 should be turned ON. In this manner, the still
picture, which is multiplexed to be displayed on the main picture screen,
disappears and instead data supplied from the main picture processor 2 is
replaced as the data of the main picture screen.
As described above, the present invention is directed to three POP screens
as shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D for the NTSC broadcast. However, as shown
in FIG. 2A, a person skilled in the art would realize that a total of
twelve. POP screens with six left and six right POP screens can be
included. Also, the POP screens according to the present invention can be
applied in broadcast systems other than the NTSC broadcast as described
above.
As described above, the still picture screen control apparatus using the
picture-out-picture technology is provided, thereby solving the existing
problems which occur when the NTSC broadcast is displayed on the
television receiver having the 16-to-9 aspect ratio. At the same time, the
POP screens facilitate search or comparison of important pictures while
watching the TV.
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